Pasadena Man Killed in Hit-and-Run Identified, Suspect Remains At Large

Coroner’s officials have released the identity of a 61-year-old Pasadena man who died after he was struck by two cars along Washington Boulevard near his home on Thursday evening, before one of the drivers fled the scene, authorities said.

Dennis K. Moore died following the collision, which took place about 6:40 p.m. along Washington Boulevard at Hudson Avenue, according to Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner’s officials.

Public records indicate he lived at the Arbor Vista senior community adjacent to the scene of the collision.

The driver of the first vehicle that struck Moore in the westbound lanes remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, Pasadena police Lt. Anthony Burgess said. There were no initial signs of impairment on his part.

But the driver of a second vehicle that struck Moore after he was knocked to the ground drove away and had not been found Saturday, police said. The hit-and-run car was initially described only as a white sedan.

Paramedics pronounced Moore dead at the scene, coroner’s officials said. An autopsy determined he died from ‘traumatic injuries” and the death was ruled “accidental.”

Investigators were gathering clues, including checking area surveillance cameras for possible leads, Burgess said.

Anyone with information can reach the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

An alleged repeat offender drunken driver struck and killed another man with an SUV less than a block to the west, at Washington Boulevard and Palm Terrace, on the night of Oct. 23, police said at the time.

Martin Cesar Villagomez, 48, of Pasadena faces a murder charge in connection with the death of Christopher Andrew Mendez, 36, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spokesman Ricardo Santiago.

Villagomez had a blood-alcohol level of nearly twice the legal limit at the time of his arrest, Pasadena police Cpl. Jose Urita said.

He also already had two prior convictions for driving with a blood-alcohol level above .08 percent, known as California’s “per se” DUI law, in 2003 and 1999, as well as a conviction for reckless driving in 1995, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court records. The prior DUI convictions made Villagomez eligible to be charged with murder under state law.

He was released from custody after posting bail on Oct. 30 pending legal proceedings, according to L.A. County booking records. It was not clear whether he had yet entered a plea, as L.A. County Superior Court records were unavailable over the weekend due to system maintenance.

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